Overview
This article describes how to connect an EtherNet/IP master device to an iNexBot EtherNet/IP slave device.
Procedure
First, enable the EIP function on the iNexBot controller.
Use the teach pendant to select the communication network port, turn on the connection switch, and save. As shown below:
EtherNet/IP master configuration:
Implementation differs between PLC brands; the main flow is as follows:
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Import the slave device description file (EDS file) into the master;
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Scan (or manually enter) the slave's IP address;
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The master initiates a connection request and communication starts.
Notes:
- The device description file "EthernetIP-inexbot.eds" is provided by iNexBot and can be downloaded from the official website.
- Some master devices can automatically scan for EIP slave devices on the network; others require manual entry of the EIP slave's IP address. This depends on the master's implementation.
Example
Using an Inovance PLC as an example: Create a new project according to the Inovance PLC model. As shown below:
- Import the EDS file: In the toolbar on the right, right-click "Ethernet/IP Devices" and click "Import EDS".
Select the "EthernetIP-inexbot.eds" file to import. See the figure below. The EDS file attachment is also available at: EDS attachment
- Scan the slave's IP address: ① Right-click "EtherNet/IP" in the project tree on the left and click "Auto Scan";
② Click "Start Scan" to scan for slave devices on the network, select the slave device to connect to, and click "Update Configuration";
③ Click the "Download" icon to download the program to the PLC;
④ Click the "Run" icon to run the PLC and connect to the iNexBot EtherNet/IP slave device;
⑤ Enter the "Ethernet/IP I/O Mapping" interface to bind the EtherNet/IP communication values to variables inside the PLC;
At this point, the EtherNet/IP connection between the Inovance PLC and the iNexBot controller has been successfully established.
